Using brain stimulation to help people quit smoking
RTMS manipulates imbalanced drive-reward and executive control circuitry for smoking cessation
This study is looking at how a special treatment called rTMS can help people stop smoking by focusing on the brain areas that control cravings and self-control, and it’s for anyone who wants to quit smoking and is curious about new ways to do it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11062427 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can help individuals quit smoking by targeting specific brain circuits involved in reward and self-control. Participants will undergo brain imaging to identify their unique neural patterns related to smoking cravings. They will then be randomly assigned to receive either a sham treatment or active rTMS aimed at balancing the brain's drive-reward and executive control circuits. The goal is to refine this non-drug therapy to improve smoking cessation rates.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults diagnosed with tobacco use disorders who are motivated to quit smoking.
Not a fit: Patients who are not actively seeking to quit smoking or who have contraindications for rTMS may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective non-pharmacological treatment option for individuals struggling to quit smoking.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that rTMS can reduce cravings and improve quit rates in smokers, indicating a promising avenue for this approach.
Where this research is happening
Charleston, United States
- Medical University of South Carolina — Charleston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Xingbao — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Li, Xingbao
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.